My Question
What type of feeder do birds prefer?

My Hypothesis
I think they will prefer the tube feeder best because it provides a place to rest.

Types of Feeders
Tube Feeder
Bowl Feeder
Covered Bowl/Jug Feeder

My Independent Variable
Type of feeder

My Dependent Variable
Amount of seed

My Control VariablesIMG_1409.jpg
Placement of feeders
Time and date

Materials
Bowl
Tube
Milk Jug
Wire, String or Hooks
Wild Bird Seed

Procedure
1. Get/Make Various Feeder
2. Get One Type Of Food
3. Measure Out 950 mL (4 Cups) Per Feeder Of Seed
4. Weigh Seed
5. Fill Feeders With 950 mL (4 Cups) Of Seed
6. Stick Feeders In A Tree Around The Same Height
7. Leave For 2 Days
8. Weigh Left Over SeedIMG_1408.jpg
9. Record Data
10. Compare Data
11. Draw a Conclusion
IMG_1407.jpg
Background Information
The different feeders only work if birds can find them. Since a bird's sense of smell is not very good they rely on sight to find a feeder. When a bird finds a feeder they may call other birds over or they may eat alone. Sometimes birds will fight over food. Small differences in feeders will affect the type of bird that is attracted to the feeder. The type of bird can also affect what type of feeder they would go to. I am trying to see overall if there is a type of feeder that seems to attract the most birds byIMG_1406.jpg measuring how much food is
eaten. As I stated in my hypothesis, I think most birds will be attracted to the tube feeder because it has perches, and one of my feeders could be the first one that a bird reaches after flying for a while. I think that having perches will provide something that other feeders do not have, and it will attract more birds that the feeders without perches.

Data Collection

Session 1
Type of
Feeder
Amt. of Seed (Beginning)
Amt. of Seed (End)
Amt. of Seed Eaten
(Beginning - End)
Tube Feeder
780 g
740 g
40 g
Bowl Feeder
780 g
810 g
-30 g
Covered Feeder
780 g
795 9
-15 g

Session 2

Type of
Feeder
Amt. of Seed (Beginning)
Amt. of Seed (End)
Amt. of Seed Eaten
(Beginning - End)
Tube Feeder
780 g
680 g
100 g
Bowl Feeder
780 g
635 g
145 g
Covered Feeder
780 g
655 9
125 g


Session 3

Type of
Feeder
Amt. of Seed (Beginning)
Amt. of Seed (End)
Amt. of Seed Eaten
(Beginning - End)
Tube Feeder
780 g
660 g
120 g
Bowl Feeder
780 g
685 g
95 g
Covered Feeder
780 g
695 9
85 g


LimitationsBirds_G_graph.JPG
1. Because I did not allow enough time for data collection (2 days) these results are problematic. Due to the fact that the initial results are problematic I will continue the experiment for 4 more days (2 intervals of 2 days) beyond what I have completed in the time that was given.
2. Snow caused a problem as well. The snow collected most on the bowl feeder because it was not covered. The covered feeder also got some snow and the tube feeder got very little if no snow. This caused a problem because my end results weighed more than my original starting weight.
3. Measurement errors are also a problem. When dealing with changes that can be only a few grams than the margin for error is very big.

Conclusions
My results support my hypothesis.